The Romance of the Condor Heroes
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Yu Zheng (producer) |
| Products | TV drama |
| Parent | Huanyu Film |
The Romance of the Condor Heroes is a Chinese TV drama from 2014–15, produced by Yu Zheng and adapted from Jin Yong's novel The Return of the Condor Heroes. The series also integrates aspects of The Legend of the Condor Heroes. Featuring lead performances by Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen, it was broadcast on Hunan TV between 3 December 2014 and 11 March 2015.
Plot
Yang Guo, the orphaned son of the antagonist Yang Kang from The Legend of the Condor Heroes, initially receives care from Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Subsequently, he is sent to the Quanzhen School on Mount Zhongnan to undergo both ethical and martial arts training.
While at Quanzhen, Yang Guo endures mistreatment and prejudice from his master Zhao Zhijing, which leads him to escape into the nearby Tomb of the Living Dead, where the Ancient Tomb School is located. There, he is saved by Xiaolongnü, a mysterious figure who takes him as her disciple. They live in isolation together for several years.
Their love, considered taboo, encounters many obstacles such as misunderstandings and Xiaolongnü’s near marriage to Gongsun Zhi. After reuniting and marrying, Xiaolongnü leaves due to a lethal poison, vowing to return after sixteen years. During her absence, Yang Guo sharpens his abilities through interactions with various martial artists and a giant condor, eventually becoming a powerful hero.
Yang Guo plays a crucial role in supporting the Song Empire against invasions by the Mongol Empire. The story concludes with his reunion with Xiaolongnü as they withdraw into seclusion, respected by the wulin community.
Cast
- Chen Xiao as Yang Guo / Yang Kang
- Leo Wu as Young Yang Guo
- Michelle Chen as Xiaolongnü
- Zhang Zimu as Young Xiaolongnü
- Zheng Guolin as Guo Jing
- Yang Mingna as Huang Rong
- Zhang Xinyu as Li Mochou
- Mao Xiaotong as Guo Fu
- Jiang Yiyi as Young Guo Fu
- Sun Yaoqi as Lu Wushuang
- Hu Shun'er as Young Lu Wushuang
- Zhao Yingzi as Cheng Ying
- Chai Wei as Young Cheng Ying
- Heizi as Jinlun Guoshi
- Zhang Xueying as Guo Xiang
- Cui Zhengbang as Guo Polu
- Zhang Zhehan as Yelü Qi
- Ma Yingqiao as Yelü Yan
- Wang Shuang as Wanyan Ping
- Cao Xinyue as Hong Lingbo
- Wu Jingjing as Gongsun Lü'e
- Qiu Xinzhi as Gongsun Zhi
- Zhang Qian as Qiu Qianchi
- Li Shipeng as Qiu Qianren / Ci'en
- Zhang Chao as Wu Dunru
- Zhang Yijie as Young Wu Dunru
- Elvis Han as Wu Xiuwen
- Fang Yangfei as Young Wu Xiuwen
- Zhao Kunpeng as Wu Santong
- Zhang Yameng as Wu Sanniang
- Guo Yuhan as Shagu
- Christopher Lee as Huang Yaoshi
- Zong Fengyan as Ouyang Feng
- Yin Xiaotian as Hong Qigong
- Zhou Dehua as Zhou Botong
- Ji Chen as Yideng
- Deng Limin as Ke Zhen'e
- Shen Baoping as Qiu Chuji
- Zhang Tianyang as Huodu
- Daiding as Da'erba
- Shao Min as Granny Sun
- Wang Maolei as Zhao Zhijing
- Song Yang as Zhen Zhibing
- Meng Fei as Yelü Chucai
- Kang Lei as Ma Guangzuo
- Yang Long as Nimoxing
- Rong Yaozhong as Yinkexi
- Ruan Weijing as Xiaoxiangzi
- Yao Yichen as Chen Xuanfeng
- Hou Jingjian as Feng Mofeng
- Yi Kun as Lu Guanying
- Liu Ye as Cheng Yaojia
- Li Yilin as Zhu Ziliu
- Zhu Rongrong as Möngke Khan
- Luo Wenbo as Lin Chaoying's apprentice
- Wang Yuzheng as Lu Youjiao
- Sun Xinhong as He Shiwo
- Jian Renzi as Rou'er
- Chen Tingjia as Du Xuelian (Ouyang Feng's sister-in-law)
- Hu Pu as Fan Yiweng
- Hou Jianglong as Indian Monk
- Special appearances
- Yan Yikuan portraying Wang Chongyang
- Dong Xuan in the role of Lin Chaoying
- Zanilia Zhao playing Mu Nianci
- Chen Xiang cast as Lu Zhanyuan
- Deng Sha featuring as He Yuanjun
- Yang Rong portraying Mei Chaofeng
- Huang Yi in the role of Feng Heng
- Zhang Danfeng playing Dugu Qiubai
- Qin Lan appearing as Hexiang (spouse of Dugu Qiubai)
Reception
From the moment it was announced, the series encountered considerable backlash, particularly concerning the casting of Michelle Chen, which sparked disapproval among enthusiasts of the original novel. When it debuted on Hunan TV, it received widespread negative feedback due to weak scriptwriting, subpar action sequences, and a plot that significantly deviated from the original narrative. Reviewers labeled the production as "a crude disaster lacking artistic merit" that "undermined the essence of the source material."
External links
- Chinese wuxia television series
- 2014 Chinese television series debuts
- 2015 Chinese television series endings
- Television shows based on The Return of the Condor Heroes
- Television series set in the Southern Song
- Television series set in the Mongol Empire
- Television series about orphans
- Television shows written by Yu Zheng
- Television series by Huanyu Film